Home Blog Page 633

Why Schools Should Add Computer Literacy to Their Curricula

News Desk
-
0

With many processes tilting towards automation, computer literacy is a prerequisite for navigating these digital times. 

Schools need to include computer literacy in their curricula, and this goes beyond looking sophisticated. Adequate digital skills will empower students to simplify complex tasks, transmit information, and provide solutions in seconds.

Computer literacy is essential whether you’re looking for an essay writing service to write my paper online, learning to code, or acquiring an online degree. Here are more reasons why schools should teach computer literacy to their students.

Access to Online Learning Tools

Modern-day students are digital natives as they spend more time on the internet. To help them learn faster, they should be exposed to online learning sites like Chegg and Khan Academy. 

Raising computer-literate learners includes teaching them to use search queries to find specific answers to their questions. When the student is skilled with computers, finding a professional essay writer online will no longer be challenging. 

Students can locate the best study resources, contributing to a robust learning experience. They can also learn to create wealth by monetizing their knowledge online. 

Better Career Opportunities

Hiring managers in every industry want to recruit professionals adept with relevant technologies. They’re searching for employees who need little or no computer training to perform their responsibilities.

With a solid background in relevant software, college graduates can easily stand out in the job market. So, students need to understand the basics of computer operating systems as early as possible. 

Schools should equip students with digital skills like slide creation, PDF document editing, and data analysis. These basic skills can set the stage for better internships, job placements, and advanced career options. 

Computer-Based Testing (CBT)

A good foundation in computer literacy will aid schools in implementing online assessment tests. Beyond school, students can participate in online exams for job interviews and promotions. 

Most people shy away from remote learning because of CBT. So, schools should carve an atmosphere for students to take practice tests online using their smartphones or computers. With basic training, students can take online courses for extra certifications.

Enhanced Problem-Solving Ability

Relevant computer knowledge helps students to build analytical skills helpful in solving problems. For instance, they can memorize the steps required for a project and apply them in similar contexts.

But here’s the best part: students exposed early in life to computer skills become more creative and willing to push boundaries to find answers. They are quick to create something new, making them innovative and practical.

However, not all students will respond to computer software in the same proportions. But you can be sure of raising learners that can probe answers and develop a better understanding of the subjects. 

Effective Research Purposes

Digital literacy will empower students with critical thinking skills when they source materials for conducting research. Writing a thesis or even regular essays will be more straightforward and practical when students can use the internet effectively.

The internet offers a vast pool of information through research papers, videos, and images. With the right analytical skills, students can import, classify, and analyze data to provide accurate information.

With digital tools, students can research on their own using their computers and the internet. To lead a research-oriented student population, you should add computer literacy to student programs.

Promoting Diversity

Schools can only meet the needs of all learners if they diversify strategies for teaching and learning. Once you incorporate technology in education, visual learners can easily absorb the concepts taught in class. 

Technology for education includes colorful illustrations, audio notes, and video tutorials. These learning tools can supplement traditional classroom learning. 

Teachers can also instruct students to complete their assignments in the video, podcast, or written format. Tech-savvy teachers and students won’t have trouble working with diverse learning methods.

Appropriate Use of the Internet

School administrators can contribute positively to how students use and operate the internet. Before the pandemic, schools hardly embraced technology because they believed the negatives outweighed its benefits.

But since the pandemic, schools have discovered that digital education is a necessity rather than an option. Digital tools for education enable schools to instruct students to use the internet responsibly. 

For example, schools have zero tolerance for plagiarism and cyberbullying. While the internet offers unlimited access to information, students are expected to use published content to construct their own instead of plagiarizing. 

Knowledge of Cybersecurity

Using the internet for education requires that students are familiar with cyber threats associated with online learning. That’s why schools should include computer literacy programs that teach students about internet safety.

Learners must know how to apply cybersecurity tips to prevent virus and ransomware attacks. These tips will keep them vigilant and wary of malicious links, spam emails, and threat signals.

Students should also learn how to create strong passwords, use a password manager, and prevent identity theft. Cybersecurity is also valuable for teachers by helping them secure information transmitted over the net.

Conclusion

Computer literacy has gone beyond learning to use a smartphone or type a search query on Google. But it should start from the basics of computer operating systems, the internet, and digital technology.

The truth is quality computer literacy will enhance learning and career prospects for students. Also, learning to use computers is a continuous experience that should be part of every curriculum. This will help students learn how to accelerate processes, foster interpersonal relations, and automate repetitive administrative tasks in any institution.

6 Signs You Need a Website for Your Business

News Desk
-
0

Today, business competition has never been fiercer. You can’t really survive in this environment without staying ahead of other companies. One of the most crucial elements of a successful organization is its online presence. Customers want quicker interactions, more effective sales campaigns, and personal touch to their needs.

These goals can’t really be achieved without an operating website. If your business is not present on the internet, you won’t be successful. This is a simple truth that every company owner has to understand! Once you accept the fast-changing industry and all the challenges that come with it, more clients will notice you, and your profits will increase!

After determining your target clientele, it should be pretty obvious what you need to accomplish to satisfy them. In case you are overwhelmed with your studies and don’t have enough time for your new website, use expert hire essay writer at EssayHub to delegate your homework! A lot of students decide to create their own companies while they are in college. A website is a must for them!

Still not convinced that your organization is missing out on a lot of potential clients on the internet? Here are 6 signs that you need a website for your business!

You Already Have a Company

This might sound like a joke, but it’s not. If you have an idea for an organization, you need to establish your online presence at once! Today, you can’t make a difference on the market and grow your brand awareness without having a place on the internet where all your clients can be directed to. Let’s take a closer look at all the benefits of having a working site:

  • customers can find you by themselves;
  • you’ll get more credibility;
  • your company can gain a competitive advantage;
  • your domain name can strengthen your brand;
  • you can choose to target local clients only;
  • you can publish vacant positions and employment opportunities.

Your Clients Always Ask For Your Contact Information

What exactly should you do when a potential customer asks for a way to contact your company? Business cards are outdated because not every person wants to have hundreds of small papers in their pockets. You can’t rely on your office number, too, because younger people don’t like to call at all. They prefer to handle all their communication in chatbots and email.

You Need a Place to Display Your Portfolio

You need to have a portfolio on demand depending on the type of goods and services that your company offers. For example, your website can demonstrate everything that you can in stock or what you can order in the future. Also, some company owners like to include their previously completed projects on their site, so potential customers can have a point of reference.

Your Clients Usually Are Looking at the Screen of Their Phones

Of course, it’s always great to know your target clientele when going into business. In case your main paying client base is 30 years and younger, you definitely need a working website. And not only that, but your IT department needs to make sure that it’s working correctly on the phone and on a stationary computer at the same time. It’s not an easy task!

A mobile-friendly website is something that business owners should really focus on. Younger buyers don’t like to wait around while the page loads. They will just go and find another company that has a more streamlined mobile version. Here are some things that you should consider when creating a site that will be quick and effective on any phone:

  • don’t use small fonts and lots of images;
  • space out the links and keywords;
  • don’t use pop-ups that mostly annoy clients;
  • stick to one consistent theme across all of your platforms.

All Effective Marketing Campaigns Are Focused on the Web Advertising

Sure, you can still see billboards and paper ads today. But is this really the type of marketing that your company needs to attract new paying customers? Basically, you can get a lot of results from your web-based advertising strategies and not even spend a lot of money on them! Here are some the examples of online ads that can generate the best result for your company:

  • email ads;
  • social media promotion;
  • demand-side platform advertising;
  • native ads;
  • affiliate links.

le buzz studio KiEiI2b9GkU unsplash 1

You Want to Stay in Business One Year From Now

Of course, you can’t really predict what the future holds for you in 12 months. But there is one thing that can be said for certain: you won’t stay in business long without a great website. People will eventually lose interest in those products they can’t reach easily. Most organizations try to do as much as possible to accommodate their buyers and meet all of their online needs.

To Sum Up

Now you know about 6 signs that you need a website for your business. In reality, this issue shouldn’t even exist because no organization can survive without an online presence. Instead of considering whether you should or shouldn’t create a site, try thinking about optimizing it to the max. Your customers will be much happier with this streamlined communication!

Move Marketing unveils new Manchester office after sustained growth period

News Desk
-
0
Move Marketing is pleased to announce its relocation to new offices in Manchester as a result of a number of global client wins and team expansions.

The specialist B2B marketing agency, which recently celebrated its fifth birthday, has taken up residence in state-of-the-art offices on King Street, Manchester, to support its continued growth over recent months.

The new office space is situated within the Pinnacle building on King Street, centrally located for excellent transport links and access to everything Manchester has to offer. With floor-to-ceiling windows offering impressive views over the city centre, Move Marketing is proud to fill its new office space with its growing team and ever-expanding portfolio of global clients.

Move Marketing is quickly growing into the space with a series of new hires at all levels. Five professionals have joined the team in 2022 across all departments, adding to the company’s vast B2B marketing experience and range of expertise.

Alex Cairns, Managing Director of Move Marketing, attributes the company’s ongoing success to its unique and award-winning ‘8 moves of B2B’ approach. This world-class planning framework has been specifically engineered to optimise the B2B marketing journey and presents a truly strategic, integrated and innovative marketing solution, every time.

He said: “The 8 moves of B2B are at the centre of what we do, and we’re excited to see this directly result in more global client wins and help to attract the best talent to our growing team. Our new offices have space for us to grow further, and our future here is already looking bright.”

For more information, visit www.movemarketing.co.uk.

How to Increase Shop Footfall in the age of E-Commerce

News Desk
-
0

The high street isn’t what it was. Many shops have been forced to close their doors recently with a net total of 12 UK stores per day shutting down in 2022 in the first half of the year. This has left city centres looking somewhat empty, meaning fewer customers visiting physical stores. The main cause? The rise of e-commerce.

E-commerce was already growing rapidly, but the global pandemic propelled online shopping into everyone’s lives and changed the face of the retail industry foreseeably forever. It is estimated that there will be 60 million e-commerce users in the UK by the end of 2022, leaving the future of physical stores in doubt.

However, it seems that there is still space for a bricks and mortar store to have success. Even leading e-commerce brands such as Nike remain invested in accelerating footfall to their physical stores. If you run a high street shop or are thinking about opening one, then you’ll want to do all you can to keep living, breathing customers coming back for more. Explore the various ways in which you can increase shop footfall in the age of e-commerce.

Quality over quantity

To create a positive shopping experience for customers, make it as easy as possible for them to browse. Focus on illustrating the value of products by only having one version of each on display. This is a great way to showcase the benefits of each without overwhelming customers. It also mirrors the convenience of browsing online which is what e-commerce customers love and which may persuade them to keep stepping into your store.

Create immersive experiences

Depending on what you sell, offering a try-before-you-buy service may appeal to customers. These types of experience are impossible in the world of online shopping but are considered invaluable by consumers. Beauty stores may let customers spritz on scent, food and beverage stores can offer buffet-size samples, and sports stores may let customers shoot a few hoops or use the latest gear.

Bear in mind that changing your store into an interactive space exposes you to more risks so you may find peace of mind in shop insurance cover which can prove to be beneficial in the event of accidents or damage occurring in your store.

Get technical

The main pull of e-commerce is the search capabilities that are available due to digital technologies. You can search for products, check stock levels, and compare prices online, so we recommend offering this in-store.

This can be done by having a range of in-store tablets that allow customers to search for products. If your store stocks it, then your employees can bring the item to the customer. This will make the process quicker and more convenient which customers will appreciate. Forget next-day delivery, you can offer next-minute satisfaction!

In-store offers

image1 1 1024x684 1

Every customer loves an offer. When you make these offers ‘only available in your store’ then you’re more likely to increase footfall. This will then lead to more new customers, higher sales, and improved customer loyalty. Plus, you’ll add an air of excitement and exclusivity to your customers’ shopping experience.

It’s time to get your store back on track and get sales booming again. Make these changes and see customers return to your store time-after-time.

Anstey Horne expands its Manchester presence with the Addition of Gray Scanlan Hill’s team of Specialist Chartered Building Surveyors

News Desk
-
0

Building on its 200 year history of providing professional expertise as the UK’s leading rights to light, party wall, EWS1* advisor Anstey Horne has expanded its Manchester presence by joining forces with Gray Scanlan Hill.

Anstey Horne has been instrumental in the development of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, updating and authoring specialist publications, and more recently a detailed digital model that allows it to visualise new developments in real time. The decision bring Gray Scanlan Hill into the practice, which has been established in Manchester for 17 years, means that the office has grown to a dozen staff in the region. This provides the company with a substantial increase in its building surveying expertise with dilapidation advice, project management, technical due diligence and a broad range of specialist independent technical advice. In addition to Manchester, Anstey Horne has five further UK offices including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Plymouth, and Norwich employing a total of 87 staff.

The team brings together a wealth of market-leading experience, a focus on quality service, and professional expertise. Gray Scanlan Hill’s Manchester team brings Anstey Horne’s total project and building consultancy headcount to 40 in the UK. This is in addition to the existing team of 45 surveyors specialising in rights to light and party wall.

Senior Director Simon Hill moved to Manchester in 1994 to help grow the Malcolm Hollis regional offices before forming Gray Scanlan Hill in 2005. Simon has a depth of knowledge and experience with a loyal client base that keeps him very busy. He is a dilapidations and survey specialist recognised by clients for providing clear informed technical advice and going that extra mile.

Commenting on the move, Simon Hill said;

“We are really pleased to be joining Anstey Horne. Our businesses share a commitment to providing the highest level of service to clients to help them resolve a range of complex technical and commercial challenges across all sectors and types of building asset.

“The building surveying services we provide will now be complimented and further supplemented by the Anstey Horne team, who have an enviable reputation in the delivery of rights to light, and daylight & sunlight, party wall, building and fire consultancy services, and specialist technical advice.”

Simon is joined by fellow Director Darren Hughes who brings invaluable experience having joined the practice in 2017 after 14 years working for Lambeth Smith Hampton. He has acted for numerous blue-chip clients over the years advising funds, investors, asset managers and corporate occupiers.

Simon and Darren are joining Anstey Horne as directors with their team of seven surveyors and staff.

Alex Parry-Jones, Head of Building Consultancy at Anstey Horne said;

‘It’s great to welcome Simon, Darren and the team to Anstey Horne at a time when we are diversifying and growing our specialist teams across the UK to meet client demand and meet their expectations of the high level of service we seek to provide. Alongside our general building consultancy services we now offer a full range of fire consultancy advice to support our clients’ assets from pre-planning fire strategies to specialist FRAEW** surveys of existing stock’.

*EWS1: The EWS1 process was designed by RICS to support the valuation process for high-rise residential buildings with cladding. It is not a government or regulatory requirement.

**FRAEW: British Standards (BSI) code of practice (PAS9980) for the Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) Surveys applies from the 31st January 2022

Manchester social strategy business setting new global standards for the commercial community

News Desk
-
0

ANTZ, a leading social impact organisation in Manchester, is launching the first ever social impact learning accreditation, helping business leaders understand and respond to the importance of social values at work. Setting a new standard for businesses to leave a legacy within the commercial sector, the training will help companies build long lasting foundation that drives employee engagement.

The Scheme

The training to get the qualification requires individuals to follow an innovative internal journey, helping them gain a clear understanding of social impact and what it means. The task builds on understanding how to evaluate and report on work processes and their impact. Leading to the final step of building a social strategy aligned with the company’s business plan. Importantly, the accreditation will also help businesses bring clarity to what social impact is, keeping it simple and provide a straightforward methodology. Commenting on the new accreditation, Jen Pemberton, CEO at ANTZ, says: “Since 2008 ANTZ has been encouraging a business led and community driven platform that changes lives in and out of work. During this time, we have learnt that businesses cannot create a positive shift change within communities unless we give them an accredited standard and platform to embed social impact internally, and this can be achieved through our business led social impact accredited training which is delivered via Teams.”

The importance of social values in the workplace

social values 300x200 1
Businesses are now asking what social values matter to them

Importantly, leaders of the social values scheme believe the accreditation will also help businesses bring clarity to what social impact is. Showing their support of the new accreditation training after completing it, Faruk Patel from Saraco Industries, a UK based manufacturer of disposable wet wipe products, added: “ANTZ’ social value training demonstrated how we as a business can align our social strategy with our commercial strategy to maximise impact both in our potential partner communities, but also commercially. The social value training is very clear and it was great to engage with a variety of different organisations at varying stages of their social value journey.”

Who are ANTZ?

Established in 2008, ANTZ work with SMEs, local authorities and government departments, regional construction frameworks, and brands help to grow an understanding of what social value is, how it is best delivered, and importantly, how it is measured. ANTZ, has been recognised for its ability to support business bring about positive change in the communities in which they operate, via a national award win with its partner Atos – the Institute of Collaborative Working’s Award for Social Impact Working with the Third Sector.

MCDONALD’S AND CHILDREN IN NEED MARK SECOND YEAR OF PARTNERSHIP WITH PIONEERING PROJECT IN PRESTON, PUTTING YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

News Desk
-
0
  • McDonald’s celebrates second consecutive year of partnership with Children in Need, putting a spotlight on the Foxton Centre in Preston that has used funds to help combat anti-social behaviour
  • The project has significantly reduced anti-social behaviour in the local community and is providing employment opportunities to care leavers
  • More than 60 youth projects and 11,500 young people have benefitted from the 1.2M funds raised since 2021 by McDonald’s for Children in Need
  • This Christmas, McDonald’s hopes to raise a further £1M, providing customers with more opportunities than ever before to get together, support and donate what they can to Children in Need

Over the last year, McDonald’s partnership with Children in Need has raised £1.2 million, helping fund vital youth projects and forging relationships with youth workers up and down the country.

As it reflects on the first year of a five-year partnership, McDonald’s is celebrating the pioneering Foxton Centre in Preston, a project which stands out as a shining success story of where fundraising and a commitment to serving the local community have played a significant part in brightening the prospects for disadvantaged young people in Preston.

Focused on reducing anti-social behaviour in the area, Children in Need brought together McDonald’s and the Foxton’s Centre to tackle issues at the root. The centre has acted as a haven for many, providing a safe and welcoming space for young people to get the support they need from local youth workers. With a dedicated partnership now in place with McDonald’s, youth workers have helped young people facing challenges find rewarding employment at their local McDonald’s, providing them with a sense of safety, security and purpose – an opportunity that is often life changing.

As a result of this pioneering partnership, three care leavers have been given roles at the restaurant, whilst anti-social behaviour in the local area has dropped dramatically, with police reports of ASB down from 40 incidents per month to none, and security no longer required at the local McDonald’s.

Local franchisee, Nigel Dunnington, who owns and operates 17 McDonald’s restaurants in West Lancashire, comments; ‘It’s vital that we support local initiatives such as the Foxton Centre. All our crew and customers are local. We want to create safe spaces where our young people can develop and grow whilst providing warm and welcoming environments for our customers to enjoy. It feels great to give back to the communities we serve via projects such as this.’

Working directly with communities is at the heart of McDonald’s and partnership with Children in Need has connected over 50 local projects with local restaurants across the UK in the last 12 months.

Earlier in the year, McDonald’s also partnered with BBC’s Children in Need to ensure the popular Fun Football programme targets families and communities most likely to miss out on sports provisions.

With Children in Need’s support, McDonald’s will ensure the programme is available for free in deprived communities without access to football coaching and facilities and will specifically target sessions to support children with additional and complex needs.

Louise Page, Head of Consumer Communications & Partnerships for McDonald’s UK & Ireland said: “Having worked closely with Children in Need over the past 12 months, it’s incredibly rewarding to see success stories such as the Foxton Centre in Preston, where vital fund raised by colleagues, crew and customers have gone directly to helping young people who need it the most. We believe in stepping up for the communities we serve and are excited to see what we can achieve with Children in Need to help young people thrive.’

Simon Antrobus, Chief Executive, BBC Children in Need said:

“At BBC Children in Need we are acutely aware of the vast and ever-growing range of issues that are affecting the UK’s children and young people and as a charity we exist to ensure that every single one of them has the opportunity to thrive and be the best they can be. As we reflect on our first year in partnership with McDonald’s we are hugely grateful for all of the extremely generous support they have given BBC Children in Need. We know that youth work is transformational and that together we have already begun to change thousands of young lives to make a real and lasting difference across communities.”

28 Years of Being Married to the Job

News Desk
-
0

A husband and wife duo have completed 28 years in the job keeping customers happy at local logistics firm Europa Worldwide Group, which has a base in Media Village, Manchester.

Brian and Sandra Ryder are part of the Customer Service Team at Europa’s Manchester branch. Having been married for 45 years, they might just hold the secret to what it takes to have a long and fruitful marriage and an even better working relationship.

Based at Magnetic House, Media Village, Brian and Sandra are part of a team of 26 that provides road freight distribution to and from Europe at Europa Road, the specialist road freight division of Europa Worldwide Group.

The couple, who have worked in the logistics sector for most of their working lives, first started at Europa Road in 1994. Sandra, now 65, originally joined as a Clerk in the accounts department where she oversaw the export trunking between Manchester and Birmingham.

Brian, now 66, joined Europa later in the same year when he was first employed as an Import Clerk. After nearly 10 years in the role, he was promoted to Import supervisor and then International Services Manager, operationally dealing with two of the firm’s largest customers in the automotive and fashion industry.

The celebration comes at a time when trade bodies the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and Logistics UK, with the Department for Transport, have launched “Generation Logistics” – a campaign that aims to shine a spotlight on the amazing career opportunities in the industry.

Commenting on their anniversary, Sandra said: “Since I first started, I can honestly say my time with the company has been fantastic. As cliché as it is to say, no two days are the same but what remains constant is the solid, strong team around us.

Europa Road really values its people and cares about its employees and for me that’s special and why I have stayed here for so long.

“I have seen lots of changes over the years, but with each new decade more and more great achievements have been made and I am proud to be part of that.”

Brian added: “To say the last 28 years have been memorable would be an understatement. Logistics is an industry I am passionate about. So many other sectors rely on us, and it’s a brilliant feeling to know that your job has purpose and meaning to not just our customers but their customers too.

“I feel settled and happy in the work that I do and for me, that is a privilege. You hear about people leaving jobs because they don’t feel supported, but I can genuinely say that is not the case here. When you can come to work, you want to look back at the end of the day knowing you have done your best and the team around you appreciates you.”

Stuart McKie, Regional Manager at Europa Road commented on the anniversary: “We are delighted to be celebrating this achievement with Brian and Sandra. They are a real credit to Europa Road not only within the Manchester region but to the business as a whole.

“Creating teams which value character and personality is at the heart of what we do and long-term success only comes to teams that work together, with both Brian and Sandra being testament to this.”

Europa Worldwide Group is an ambitious independent logistics operator with three divisions, Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea, and Europa Warehouse, and has featured in The Sunday Times Top Track 250 for the third time. The Group employs over 1,300 people across the UK, Belgium, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai and South Africa, and recently announced a record turnover of £316m for its last year up to the end of August 2022.

Small businesses in the North West offered free office space to battle soaring winter costs 

News Desk
-
0

Would you be interested in attending Meta’s Good Ideas Studios on 24-25 November at 1830 Warehouse, Manchester, M3 4FP? In attendance and available for interview will be:

  • Grace Beverley, 25, one of the UK’s leading young entrepreneurs and CEO of Tala and Shreddy, who can discuss why she is working with Meta in Manchester and the importance SMEs play in the UK economy
  • The founders of The Little Sri Lankan, local Manchester based small business who can talk to the challenges their business is currently facing

In line with the Good Ideas Studios launch, small businesses in the North West are being offered free winter office space in a bid to reduce costs and maximise their chances of survival. Meta’s “Space for Good Ideas,” initiative will see local small businesses of fewer than 50 employees are able to apply for space at fb.me/goodideasstudios by 25 November, and through doing so, removing one of their biggest costs at a time when energy bills continue to rise.

The news comes as new YouGov data commissioned by Meta reveals over a quarter (26%) of small business decision makers in the North West fear their business may close, while over half (55%) say a major business priority in the next six months is survival.

Almost a third (29%) of those polled worry their business won’t be able to keep up with their outgoings during the year ahead while over a quarter (26%) admit to using less energy to save on bills. Two in five (42%) say reducing costs would be crucial to their firm’s future success.

Steve Hatch, VP Northern Europe, Meta, said, “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy and right now they face the challenge of a lifetime just to keep the lights on. We know there’s no one fix to the challenges faced, however we believe through helping both online and offline we can provide support to local businesses in need. This is why we’re offering small businesses in Edinburgh the opportunity to apply for free office space in a bid to ease costs.”

Acas offers top tips to North West employers to help prepare for the World Cup

News Desk
-
0

Workplace expert Acas has this week published advice on how businesses in the North West can reach agreements with staff wishing to watch the World Cup to help avoid any potential issues.

The World Cup is a big sporting event for many employees who may want to follow their favourite football team and enjoy the event. Some North West staff may want to book time off to go to the World Cup or attend special group events in the UK. Others will want to use the internet or their phones to stay updated on the match results.

Acas advises employers and small businesses based in the North West to plan ahead and have agreements in place that cover requests for time off, sickness absence, website use during working hours or watching TV during this period.

Acas North West Area Director Terry Duffy said:

“The World Cup is an exciting event for many football fans, but staff should avoid getting a red card for unreasonable demands or behaviour in the workplace during this period.

“Many businesses need to maintain a certain staffing level in order to survive. North West employers should have a set of simple workplace agreements in place before kick-off to help ensure their businesses remain productive whilst keeping staff on side too.

“Our top tips can help managers get the best from their team players, arrange appropriate substitutions if necessary and avoid unnecessary penalties or unplanned sendings-off.”

The 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar between Sunday 20 November and Sunday 18 December. Due to the time difference, football match kick-off times in the UK will vary between 10am and 7pm.

Acas offers some top tips for North West employers to consider for the World Cup:

Time off – employers may wish to look at being a little more flexible when allowing employees time off during this period and employees should remember that it may not always be possible to book a holiday. The key is for both parties to try and come to an agreement.  All requests for leave should be considered fairly. A consistent approach should be applied for holiday requests for other major sporting events too as not everyone likes football!

Sickness absence – employers may want to remind staff that their sickness and attendance policies will still apply during the World Cup. Any unauthorised absence, patterns of absence or late attendance are likely be investigated and could result in formal proceedings.

Flexibility – one possible option is to have a more flexible working day. Employees could come in a little later or finish sooner and then agree when this time can be made up.

Allowing staff to listen to the radio or watch the TV may be another possible option. Employers could also allow staff to take a break during match times. Another option is to look at allowing staff to swap shifts with their manager’s permission.

It is important to be fair and consistent with all staff if you allow additional benefits during the World Cup.  Any change in hours or flexibility in working hours should be approved before the event.

Use of social media and websites – there may be an increase in the use of social media or websites covering the 2022 World Cup.

Employers may wish to remind staff of any policies regarding the use of social networking and websites during working hours. The policies should be clear on what is and isn’t acceptable web use.

1...632633634...1,089Page 633 of 1,089